Finding the best 3-person tent is a complex project!
At A Glance:
The best 3-person tents aren’t just about taking less space, these tents are also about saving weight for other camping essentials. Three-person tents are great for backpacking trips, family camping, music festivals, or introducing children to the outdoors.
And to help in your tent selection, we’ve compiled a list of our top three-person tents and a guide for important considerations.
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Best Backpacking 3-Person Tent
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Best Allrounder Tent
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Roomy Backpacking Tent
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The Coleman Sundome Tent is a great allrounder that fits up to 3 people or one queen-sized mattress. It comes from a selection of top camping tents for those on a longer trip.
The advanced WeatherTec system uses welded corners and covered seams to keep the rain out, while the enhanced ventilation systems push warm air out so you can stay cooler for longer and catch that extra bit of sleep on those hot summer mornings. It’s also great to have the air circulating if you happen to be sleeping alongside any smelly campers…
The simple clip-on pole attachments and dome-shaped design not only protect you against ferocious winds but also makes it easy to set up. Alongside super simple clip-on pole attachments and anti-snag continuous pole covers, it’s not surprising setting up your tent will only take you ten minutes.
We also like the mesh pocket that lets you keep your essentials close at hand. Oh, and for those of you that like to take a generator with you on your camping trips, there’s an E-port so bring an extension cable into your 3 person tent without any trouble.
This backpacking tent is reasonably priced and comes with a 1-year warranty too. The only major downside seems to be the fact that you can’t fully seal the large ventilation windows – there’s no way to zip them closed and this means rain can sometimes blow inside. Despite this, the tent has great reviews overall, just bear in mind that it might not be the right choice if you plan on summiting a mountain in super blustery weather.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL is a great backpacking 3-person tent. The major selling point of this three-person tent is that it’s managed to remain ultra-durable and lightweight while building in some volume.
We can hardly believe that the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL backpacking tent weighs under 4 lbs when packed. But don’t be fooled, that doesn’t mean this three-person tent won’t stand up to the elements.
The poles themselves are manufactured by DAC and are renowned for their stability and endurance, while their actual shape makes for a dome-shaped roomy interior that can withstand most weather.
The seams on the rain fly are taped to ensure waterproofing up to 1200mm, so you don’t have to worry about waking up to soggy toes, and the pegs are made of solid, but lightweight, aluminum.
As well as some headroom, the two vestibules give you some space to stretch your legs or leave damp gear, and we lost the storm flaps on their zippers. And you can keep yourselves nice and organized too thanks to the huge ceiling pockets, 5 inner mesh pockets, and a couple of media pockets too.
The only downside we can see is that this three-person tent doesn’t come with a tent footprint, so make sure you pick one of those up separately. Also, make sure you do your research because not all footprints produced by the company are compatible – you need to make sure the attachment points align.
Purchasing one of these will increase the price slightly, but if you’re going on a three-person tent adventure, there really isn’t a better option in terms of space and weight.
If you are after a more detailed review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL, you can check that out too.
Here’s another luxurious option for those that don’t mind being the envy of the campsite, the WHITE DUCK Bell Tent.
You can take this three person tent car camping thanks to its spacious interior design that allows room for dressing or bedside tables, and it’s even stove compatible so you can make cups of tea and tasty treats from the comfort of your tent. The walls are nice and high too, so you can move around inside without feeling cramped.
Setting up this tent is a breeze thanks to the sewn-in groundsheet and the fact that it relies on a few poles. The poles themselves are galvanized to protect against corrosion, and the center pole has handy D lights for hanging lanterns and other items. It also has several vents and three windows and a door that can be covered with mesh so you can stay cool but keep the bugs away.
The canvas is high-quality and has been treated to protect against fire, UV, mold, and mildew, and you can also opt for a fire-resistant finish – which might be wise if you plan on using a stove in there. We love that the canvas is made of 100% cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative.
This tent for 3 people is pretty heavy and will require some maintenance. You’ll need to dry it out properly after soggy trips, and it won’t hurt to add an extra layer of waterproofing to it if you think you’ll end up in the rain.
Also, we’ve focused on the 3m-diameter model here, which fits up to three people but may be a little tight – if you want a lot of space, you might want to consider the next size up, although this will ramp up the price (even more).
Overall, these tents offer a truly unique camping experience and prove a great hangout space when the weather outside is bleak. A solid favorite amongst festival-goers, they’re also great for family camping. If money was no object, we’d certainly be grabbing one of these for ourselves.
Here’s one for anyone that hates putting tents up and down, the Overwhelming Pop-Up Camping Tent.
Unlike with other three-person tents that claim to be ‘pop-up’ tents, assembling this tent really is a matter of throwing it out and watching a fully formed tent sprout before your eyes.
This tent sleeps 3-4 people, but don’t worry if you’re the party animal of the group – you can climb in later without stamping on anyone that’s sleeping thanks to the inclusion of a front and a back door.
You can use the mesh lining on the doors and windows for ventilation or take in the scenery, but don’t worry if you like your privacy, there are double privacy curtains on the doors if you need them and you can close the privacy curtains on the windows from the inside.
This three-person tent is durable too, and it can stand up to bad weather no problem thanks to its 4000mm waterproof groundsheet, 3000mm waterproof roof, and taped seams.
It’s not as easy to disassemble as it is to assemble, unfortunately, but other than that we think this is a great option for music festivals or outdoor camping trips you want to make as simple as possible.
Strictly speaking, this is advertised as a four-person camping tent but, as with all tents, people often go up or down a ‘person size’ depending upon how much space they like. If there are three of you looking for something roomy, then we think the Coleman Cabin Tent is an ideal choice for a 3 person tent.
The thing that we absolutely love about this three-person tent is the fact that it blocks 90% of sunlight – say goodbye to those sleepless mornings spent rolling around wishing the light would leave you in peace…
The Dark Room technology is something we’ve been waiting for, and it means you can finally catch those extra Zs that can make the difference to your camping or festival experience. Oh, and it reduces the temperature by up to 1-% too.
The set-up is nice and simple, thanks to the preassembled poles, and shouldn’t take you more than a minute or so. Once built, you’re left with a spacious tent with a center height of four ft 11 inches. Large mesh windows give you the option to cool down and soak in the sights or keep them closed for some privacy. There are also handy pockets to keep things nice and organized.
Although it comes with an integrated rain fly, there is an ‘optional’ one you can purchase too – which is ideal for significant rainfalls. It’s also very heavy, but if you share the load between three we’re sure you’ll be able to manage it.
If you love camping but hate being woken up at sunrise, this really is the tent for you.
The ALPHA CAMP Dome Tent is a great value tent designed to sleep three.
Three zippered mesh windows are more than enough to keep you nice and cool while protecting you from bug bites. We like that there are reflectors on the ropes too, so you can avoid taking any tumbles in the night. With two side pockets as well as an overhead gear storage compartment, you can keep yourself nice and organized.
The poles are fiberglass, and there’s an in-built port for those of you that like to be hooked up to electricity while camping. And, it’s available in three colors, easy to set up, and a fairly lightweight tent – what’s not to love?
Although this tent is supposed to be waterproof, we found it not to be great out of the box – so we’d definitely recommend giving this a lick of extra waterproofing if you think you’ll end up using it in bad weather. And if it really doesn’t stand up to rain, you can make of the included 2-year warranty.
For the casual camper, this is an excellent, affordable choice.
Marmot is renowned for making top-notch backpacking gear and this 3 person backpacking tent is no exception. Although the Tungsten is a 3 person tent, it is ideal for 2 or less. So, unless you are in a pinch, try to keep that maximum number in mind.
The Marmot Tungsten has an easy-to-set-up system where the backpacking tent poles are color-coded, so even if it’s your first time, pitching the Marmot Tungsten is a cinch! It comes with two doors and two vestibules, which is handy when you want to use one for gear storage, and the other for cooking or as an entrance.
It is also meant as a backpacking tent, so that means the weight is at a premium. So, not surprisingly, the Marmot Tungsten 3 person tent does not compromise on waterproofing. It is fully seam-sealed, with a full-sized fly to keep you dry in wet and windy conditions!
Nemo has become one of the go-to backpacking brands in the last decade, and the Nemo Dagger is one of their better tents. They offer it in a range of sizes, but we are looking at the 3 person tent here.
The Nemo Dagger has all the features you would expect from such backpacking tents – lightweight DAC Featherlite poles that are super easy to set up with their color-coded design.
Lots of headspace and feet room with ample space through a smart design, despite being a lightweight backpacking tent. There are also two large doors and lots of vestibule space for storage.
The mesh used on the tent allows for ample airflow on the Nemo Dagger as well as mesh in the upper for stargazing at night if the weather is clear!
The weatherproofing is great as always with a sealed tub floor design and a well-fitting fly that goes over top. All in all, a smart 3 person backpacking tent that is going to last you for years of backpacking to come!
If you want a great backpacking tent but you really need room for three people or more, then the Kelty Late Start is a great option. Kelty is a renowned brand that makes quality tents, so you know you are going to get what you pay for.
First off, this tent has plenty of interior space. It’s a backpacking tent, but it measures 99” x 81”, giving you 55. 7 square feet of floor space. The peak height is also, 56 inches, which is far higher than most other backpacking tents.
Kelty has provided the kind of weather protection you would expect on a tent meant for backpacking with a rain fly made of waterproof 68 denier polyester. This means it is water-resistant to 1800 mm, which will certainly keep you dry in a storm.
If you need even more weather protection, learn more about 3 vs 4 season tents here.
The inner tent is made from what Kelty calls a No-see-um mesh. This means that if you choose to not use the fly, it is not as see-through as most tents. The floor is tough enough with a 68 denier fabric, however, if you are really looking to use this as a backpacking tent then we always recommend a footprint to help preserve your tent for as long as possible.
You just never know when a sharp rock or even twig will pierce your floor and ruin the integrity of your three-person tent!
In terms of gear storage, we were a little disappointed to see that there is only one entrance, so having a second vestibule for easy access gear is not an option. However, because there is so much room in the tent, plus the vestibule, this should not be a problem.
Kelty has also designed this 3 person tent to be very quick and easy to set up, with color-coded sections, easy corners and clips. And packing it up is fast and easy with the wide mouth bag, a nice touch.
With so much variety, choosing a 3-person tent is no easy task. What’s best for you will depend on your specific needs. We’ve included a range of tents above to give you some inspiration, but if you’re still unsure about which tent to go for, then we suggest considering the following:
It might seem like an obvious factor, but there’s quite a lot to think about when it comes to the size of your 3-person tent.
If you’re going to be doing some serious mountaineering trips, then you probably want something lightweight, and the easiest way to do this is to cut back on the size of your tent.
If you want something that won’t weigh you down but you don’t like to feel too restricted, there are some lightweight options out there with a dome design, so although there might not be much interior space, at least you won’t be sleeping with your nose on the ceiling.
On the other hand, if you’re going to be camping alongside a vehicle, weight is of little importance, so why not spread out? When looking at larger tents, you’ll have to think about the layout – do you want an open-plan tent or would you rather separate compartments? And bear in mind that as the size of your tent increases, so will the price.
As well as the sleeping space itself, vestibules act like a porch and give you somewhere for soggy gear storage – for some people, this is an essential part of a tent. Extendable porches can be a nice touch too if you want to be able to stay outside your tent and hide from the sun or rain.
As you’ve seen, not all tents are created equal when it comes to durability and weather resistance. Although no one wants their 3-person tent to fall apart on them or wake up feeling like they’re inside a shower, how important these factors are will depend primarily on how you’ll be using your tent.
If you’re a regular four-season backpacker, you’re going to need something that will stand the test of time and hold up in adverse weather. Make sure you check out whether a decent rainfly and groundsheet are included, or whether you need to purchase them separately. Certain designs can withstand wind better than others too – you want to avoid particularly angular designs.
Alternatively, if you only plan on using your tent once or twice a year at a summer festival, then you can probably settle for something a little less durable and save yourself some chase. Having said that, there’s still a lot of variability in tents at the lower end of the price spectrum.
Make sure you read the reviews before you buy anything online, and remember you can always add an extra layer of waterproofing yourself if you’re unsure whether your tent will hold up – it’s better safe than sorry after all.
Finally, there are a whole bunch of extra features out there you can’t help but get distracted by when you’re shopping around. E-ports are becoming more and more common for those that go car camping with a generator or some other kind of power source. Make sure you get one that can seal properly so you aren’t exposing yourself to moisture or drafts.
Pockets and clips for hanging objects can make the difference between a chaotic interior and one that’s nice and orderly, and some tents come with loads of these while others have a token one or two, so it’s definitely worth checking this out.
Some tents are even compatible with stoves, which can be great if you’ll be camping out for a while or you’re just really into cooking.
Although extra features are fun, you’ll want to make sure they don’t ramp up the price too much or distract you from the fundamental features of the tent.
So you’ve seen our list of the best 3-person tents around but, in case you’re still struggling to decide, here are our top three…
Our best all-rounder has to be the Coleman Cabin Tent. This tent offers great value for money, is super easy to set up, and is nice and spacious too. Oh, and in case you forgot… it blocks 90% of sunlight – we hope you’re as excited about this as we are!
Our favorite option for glamping trips is the Ozark Trail 3-Room Cabin. We love that you can box off your own rooms or remove the dividers to create a communal feel. You’ll even have room for guests if you want them. We also like that you can keep connected to the real world while soaking in the sights thanks to the E-port and all of the windows – the true glamping experience.
Finally, if you’re big into backpacking, then we’d certainly recommend the Big Agnes Backpacking Tent. This tent is built from high-grade materials that will stand up to bad weather, yet it’s one of the lightest 3-person tents on the market. Despite being ultra-lightweight, you won’t feel too claustrophobic thanks to the dome design and vestibules, and the numerous pockets mean you can keep things in check.
Overall, we think it’s definitely worth the investment for something so durable and spacious yet this lightweight.